A group, Coalition for Good Governance (C4GG), has accused the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) of executing “a baseless hatchet job by falsely claiming a fake, non-existing law and order crisis in Osun state.”
In a reaction to HURIWA, C4GG said the Onwubiko-led group was reputed as “a blackmail platform which has commercialised advocacy activities in favour of the highest bidder,” and wondered how “Onwubiko who lives in Abuja can claim imminent break down of law and order in a peaceful state like Osun.”
This was contained in a press statement issued Monday by the convener, Adetayo Adegbemle, who is also the executive director of PowerUp Nigeria.
The statement read in part, “We note with disgust HURIWA’s newest hatchet job to defend a police commissioner on transfer with false narratives and with unfounded allegations and insinuations against a new government that is restoring normalcy to Osun state. Osun residents are aware of the reign of terror imposed on the state by former government of Oyetola through his leading thug, Asiri Eniba.
“Residents of Osun state were aware of how daily raids on banks led to most major towns not having banking services and how Osogbo, the state capital, has many no-go areas. Osun witnessed glorification of thuggery to the extent that known thugs regularly featured on state boxes during state events. HURIWA, a one man blackmailing platform did not bother to fact check Osun before accepting an image laundering contract. The fact is that Osun was a war zone under Oyetola; the situation only calmed down when Governor Ademola Adeleke took office.
“To confirm HURIWA’s shameless conduct, this is the first time a supposed human right group will question a police chief for exercising the powers of his office. The Inspector General of Police has direct reporting on the activities of commissioners of Police and other top officers posted across the federation. He is able to judge performances of his officers on the basis of which he determines posting and reposting. HURIWA is bereft of intelligence briefing to know the basis of posting decision, hence its cheap and ignorant posturing on issues beyond its purview.
“We can also report that the new governor reversed most unlawful actions of his predecessor, an action we find to be largely acceptable to the people of the state. Our team lead for South-west is Osogbo based and our preliminary survey in the last two weeks revealed that Governor Adeleke’s approval rating remains high two weeks into his governorship.”
